A group of students from Biddenham Sixth Form have launched a powerful new initiative as part of the Harpur Trust’s Ready2Lead programme.
Called ‘Red Flag Awareness’, the campaign aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse among teenagers through assemblies and interactive workshops in participating schools. The group strongly believes that early education can lead to prevention in later life.
As red flags are often used as a warning sign, the team has created a programme to give their peers information to spot ‘red flag’ behaviour.
This will enable them to make healthy and informed choices about relationships.
As part of their campaign, the Biddenham students will be collaborating with local organisations to deliver talks across schools in Bedford, highlighting the emotional, psychological and physical impact of domestic abuse.
They say they are already making an impact on social media platforms.
“Domestic abuse does not discriminate – it can affect anyone,” said Aimee Bevan, a member of the team.
“It is important for us to make sure young people know the red flags and feel confident speaking up if something doesn’t feel right, as well as knowing where to go.”
Group member Marie Asantewaa said: “Every young student deserves to understand the difference between healthy and harmful.
“Our Red Flag Awareness assemblies and workshops will help young people recognise unhealthy behaviour before it escalates, so that students are able to spot early signs of manipulation, jealousy, coercive control and boundary breaking”.
The school sessions include evidence-based content, scenarios that students can relate to, guidance on where to see help and DA-trained facilitiators.
The Red Flag Awareness campaign will also use its social media platforms to post regular messages encouraging young people to show respect and understand boundaries.
For updates and resources, follow @redflagawareness2025 on Instagram and red.flag.awareness on TikTok.
“Every student deserves to be heard,” said Aimee.
